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Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

GetSpurredOn

Well-Known Member
Jun 18, 2006
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Chiriches and Kaboul very likely out. Wimmer in. Will the headcount balance be restored with another signing, if so I'm convinced it'll be Alderweireld, or will we stick with a four of Fazio, Dier, Vertonghen and Wimmer, relying on Velkovic and Carter-Vickers for squad depth??
I'd also fancy us to be his preferred choice. Granted, a year of familiarity at Southampton, and champions Chelsea would both consider themselves front runners, but I think Vertonghen and Eriksen may have some sway.
 

y1dk1d

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2012
2,052
4,911
I would be happy if we signed him because we do need a first team CB (not sure any pair of Verts/Dier/Wimmer is good enough) but is Toby the style we're looking for? Can't help but think a tough, heart on you sleeve type defender like Shawcross would be something we need more, someone who digs in. Suspect many will disagree
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
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Hipster. ;)

I can't help but feel a bit...meh about this one. Plus would be his previous experience alongside Verts but as an individual player i'm not really much of a fan.

I just thought he was a good signing at the time as he'd played with verbs at Ajax. I don't think the majority were keen on him at the time on another forum.
 

DaSpurs

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
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Personally think he'd be a good addition. He's quick for a CB, which I think would be of good use to us with Poch's system. The fact he has previous experience with Vertonghen is not something to be taken lightly, as that can make a world of difference to the last line of defense before the goalkeeper.
 

Everlasting Seconds

Well-Known Member
Jan 9, 2014
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I wanted him before he went to Ath Madrid.
I didn't want him before it was cool to to have had an opinion before it became cool.

He is slow, he is made to look better than he is, benefiting from a very well cooperating entity, he wouldn't survive a day in Pochettino's hazardous high messing – I mean pressing – and there is an abundance of better names we should be pursuing.
Unless Pochettino's plan is to change his system to a structure Aderweireld fits, which it might very well be.
 

St José Dominguez

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2014
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I'm slightly unconvinced by him and think Fonte had much the better season helped by Schneiderlin and Wanyama.

Ignoring that though if we are interested in him or any other CB that surely means one of the current crop is leaving (along with Kaboul).
We surely wouldn't go into the season with Vertonghen, Dier, Wimmer, Fazio and Alderweireld.

I'd assume it to be Fazio unless they've decided to get decent money for Vertonghen while they still can.
It's pointless having Fazio as 5th choice, we may as well have a youth player in case of emergency.

Also I don't want anyone getting in the way of Dier's progress although I'm still very unsure that Dier and Vertonghen is a compatible partnership.

I've no idea on Wimmer but I really hoped for a CB this window whose main focus is to organise and defend, might not be flashy or pretty but I think it's what both Dier and Vertonghen need.
 

bat-chain

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2009
2,232
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Last season we were linked with Fonte and I said something like. "He's absolute fucking shit".

This is why I post on here rather than scout footballers.
 

Dharmabum

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2003
8,274
12,242
I rather see Dier given time to develop into a solid EPL CB. A player to develop need playing time and if Spurs (those who makes the decisions) indeed do believe in him they should let him start next to Jan (if Spurs do believe in him as well). And if they do believe in their recent signings (lots of belief here!) Fazio and Wimmer, then let them be understudies; with Ball as their undestudy,. In 2-3 season wicked Vickers would be ready for the EPL.
In other words, unless and "incredible" deal for a top-class CB becomes a possibility I am happy with the CB at Spurs right now considering Spurs' "means".
PS! No, I was not happy with the leaky Spurs defense last season but that was not just the fault of teh defenders (although they must take biggest share of the burden).
 
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rawhide

I have issues...
Jan 28, 2011
16,723
31,154
I rather see Dier given time to develop into a sold EPL CB. A player to develop need playing time and if Spurs (those who makes the decisions) indeed do believe in him they should let him start next to Jan (if Spurs do believe in him as well). And if they do believe in their recent signings (lots of belief here!) Fazio and Wimmer, then let them be understudies; with Ball as their undestudy,. In 2-3 season wicked Vickers would be ready for the EPL.
In other words, unless and "incredible" deal for a top-class CB becomes a possibility I am happy with the CB at Spurs right now considering Spurs' "means".
PS! No, I was not happy with the leaky Spurs defense last season but that was not just the fault of teh defenders (although they must take biggest share of the burden).
I'd rather we kept hold of him...;)
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
Interesting - the article says he has been told he would be 1st team, presumably pushing Dier to Europa/Cup, with Wimmer. Either way, good competition at both CB spots.
 

DaSpurs

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
11,816
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Can only make sense if we plan on ditching Fats. Wonder if Atletico would take a swap for him.
 

TH1239

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2011
3,691
8,964
He'd be an excellent signing, as he'd almost certainly start next to Vertonghen, while also providing the versatility to play right-back and central defensive midfielder. Prem/CL/WC experience, very good with the ball at his feet and much quicker in recovery than Fazio, so he won't be exposed as often with strikers getting behind him when we are pressing high up the pitch. I watched Saints play countless times last season, and he always looked assured at the back with Fonte, and their defensive record speaks for itself. Even looking at the raw statistics, Alderweireld didn't make a single defensive error that led to a goal last season, which is a major plus when you consider some of the individual moments from our back 4 that have cost us in the past two seasons.
 
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